THE SHEPHERD AND THE WILD GOATS

ONE cold stormy day a shepherd drove his flock for shelter into a cave where a number of wild goats had also found their way. The shepherd wanted to make the goats part of his flock; so he fed them well. But to his own flock, he gave only just enough food to keep them alive. When the weather cleared, and the shepherd led the goats out to feed, the wild goats scampered off to the hills. "Is that the thanks I get for feeding you and treating you so well?" complained the shepherd.

"Do not expect us to join your flock," replied one of the wild goats. "We know how you would treat us later on, if some strangers should come as we did."

"It is unwise to neglect old friends for the sake of new ones."

Adapted from Project Gutenburg ebook, AESOP for Children with illustrations by Milo Winter